IS: A terrible NHL setback for the Lions' World Championship team

The Finnish men’s national ice hockey team will not receive help from the Finnish players of the Dallas Stars for the upcoming World Championships in spring. The head coach of the Lions, Antti Pennanen, confirmed on Tuesday to Ilta-Sanomat that the Finnish players of the NHL club will stay out of the tournament held in Switzerland.

The Finnish players in Dallas — Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, and Arttu Hyry — will therefore not be joining the Lions, even though the matter was speculated after Dallas was eliminated from the NHL playoffs in the first round.

– No players from Dallas are coming. They have injuries and personal reasons. As of now, they are not participating, Pennanen said according to Ilta-Sanomat.

The Dallas season ended unexpectedly when the Dallas Stars lost their series to the Minnesota Wild with a score of 2–4. After that, the potential call-up of the Finnish players for the World Championships was considered a realistic option.

However, the Lions’ support team is still monitoring the progress of the NHL playoffs in hopes of possible additional reinforcements.

– The second round is still ongoing and may end before the World Championships. We are still watching the NHL, Pennanen says.

Potential later reinforcements have included names such as Sebastian Aho, Mikael Granlund, Artturi Lehkonen, Oliver Kapanen, and Rasmus Ristolainen.

Also, Henrik Borgström, who plays in Europe, is still on the Lions’ radar.

– Henrik Borgström is still under consideration. But he has his own thoughts to ponder, Pennanen said.

On the other hand, new names from the Liiga may not be seen in the World Championship squad, even though the finals are still ongoing.

– They need to play extremely well. It may be that no one else will be included at this point, Pennanen noted.